UFC on ESPN 71: Mateusz Rebecki vs Chris Duncan Preview & Prediction

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!

Mateusz Rebecki vs Chris Duncan: Lightweight brawlers prepare for showdown in Co-Main Event
An explosive lightweight bout is expected as Poland’s Mateusz Rebecki faces Scotland’s Chris Duncan in what promises to be a gritty and physical contest. Both men are powerful, pressure-based fighters with finishing ability, and neither is likely to back down.

Mateusz Rebecki vs Chris Duncan facts

What time are Mateusz Rebecki and Chris Duncan expected to walk out?

Where is UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park? UFC Apex, Enterprise, USA

Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC on ESPN 71

What TV channel is UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+

Where can I stream UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass

UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park main card

Tatsuro Taira vs Park Hyun-sung (Flyweight)

Mateusz Rebecki vs Chris Duncan (Lightweight)

Elves Brener vs Esteban Ribovics (Lightweight)

Karol Rosa vs Nora Cornolle (Women’s Bantamweight)

Neil Magny vs Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (Welterweight)

Danny Silva vs Kevin Vallejos (Featherweight)

UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park prelims

Rinya Nakamura vs Nathan Fletcher (Bantamweight)

Rodolfo Vieira vs Tresean Gore (Middleweight)

Nick Klein vs Andrey Pulyaev (Middleweight)

Austin Bashi vs John Yannis (Featherweight)

Piera Rodriguez vs Ketlen Souza (Women’s Strawweight)

Rafael Estevam vs Felipe Bunes (Flyweight)

Mateusz Rebecki: Powerful Pole with a brawlers mentality

Mateusz Rebecki (20-2) enters this contest fresh off a split decision victory over Myktybek Orolbai in one of 2024’s fights of the year. The bout was a wild, back-and-forth war that highlighted Rebecki’s toughness, grit, and refusal to back down. Although he suffered a TKO defeat to veteran Diego Ferreira before that, the Polish lightweight had built strong momentum with three consecutive UFC wins to kick off his promotional career.

Rebecki is known for his aggressive style and heavy hands. He throws looping, clubbing punches and marches forward looking for a fight, though his defence can be leaky. He also has a solid submission game and the durability to stay in the trenches. Physically, he’s a stocky, densely built fighter with clear strength, although at 5'7", he is short for the division.

Chris Duncan: Scotland’s submission threat hunting third straight finish

Chris Duncan (13-2) enters this match-up riding a wave of momentum. The Scottish lightweight has put together two consecutive UFC wins via guillotine choke, submitting both Jordan Vucenic and Bolaji Oki. Before that, he was stopped by Manuel Torres, but had opened his UFC tenure with back-to-back decision victories.

Duncan has a boxing-oriented style and prefers to march forward, though his striking is not the most technical. He does carry power and has proven his submission ability, particularly with his guillotine choke. Like Rebecki, he is heavily muscled and built for physical exchanges.

Mateusz Rebecki vs Chris Duncan prediction

This should be a fun and physical match-up between two compact, aggressive lightweights. Both fighters are durable and capable of finishing, but Rebecki has faced the tougher level of opposition and shown greater resilience under pressure. While Duncan presents a serious submission threat, particularly with his guillotine, Rebecki has never been submitted in his career.

Expect a hard-fought, back-and-forth scrap, with Rebecki taking it on the scorecards.